India’s Ministry of Communications (Department of Telecommunications) has published G.S.R. 468(E) in the Gazette of India on 11 June 2026, introducing the Use of Short-Range Automotive Radar System in the 77–81 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirements) Rules, 2026. Issued under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, the notification exempts short-range automotive radar systems (SRARS) operating in the 77–81 GHz frequency band from spectrum licensing requirements, with immediate effect upon publication.
This is a landmark development for India’s automotive and technology sectors — aligning India with regulatory frameworks already in place in the United States and Europe, and removing a significant barrier to the domestic deployment of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and next-generation vehicle safety technologies.
What Has Changed
Prior to this notification, any deployment of wireless radio equipment in India — including automotive radar sensors — required a licence under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Possession) Rules, 1965. Automotive manufacturers and suppliers incorporating globally standard 77–81 GHz radar hardware into vehicles for the Indian market had to navigate a licensing process that added cost, complexity, and lead time compared to other major markets.
G.S.R. 468(E) removes this requirement. Under the new rules:
- No radio frequency assignment is required for the establishment, maintenance, or working of a SRARS installed on a vehicle in the 77–81 GHz band
- No licence is required for any person to possess a SRARS, or for any dealer to sell or hire one
- The exemption operates on a non-interference, non-protection, and non-exclusive basis — meaning users of exempt radar equipment must not cause harmful interference to licensed systems, and cannot claim protection from such interference
- Where the DoT receives a complaint that an exempt radar system is causing harmful interference to a licensed service, it may direct the user to take remediation measures, including relocating equipment, reducing power, or changing antenna type
Scope: Which Vehicles Are Covered
The rules define “vehicles” broadly. Coverage extends to passenger cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, construction vehicles, aircraft while taxiing, railroad train locomotives, train cars, monorails, trams, and boats or ships operated within India’s territorial waters.
Technical Requirements
The exemption is conditional on strict compliance with the following RF parameters:
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum average EIRP | 50 dBm |
| Maximum peak EIRP | 55 dBm |
| Maximum emission bandwidth | 4 GHz |
| Maximum unwanted emissions | −30 dBm/MHz |
Average EIRP is measured using an average detector over a 1 MHz resolution bandwidth, integrated over the total emission bandwidth. Peak EIRP is measured using a peak detector over a 1 MHz resolution bandwidth across the full emission bandwidth and is not integrated.
Beyond these RF parameters, all SRARS must conform to standards notified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or the Central Government. Where no Indian standards have been published, the relevant international standards — from bodies including the ITU, ETSI, ANSI, and ICNIRP — apply.
Equipment Type Approval
The exemption from licensing does not remove the requirement for equipment type approval. Each type of SRARS must be registered via the DoT portal using the application form set out in the Schedule to the rules. The form requires detailed transmitter and receiver specifications, including frequency range, power output, modulation type, emission bandwidth, spurious and harmonic radiation levels, frequency stability, and receiver sensitivity. Where type approval has already been granted for a particular equipment type and published on the portal, a fresh application is not required.
Why This Matters for the Automotive Industry
The 77–81 GHz band is the globally accepted standard for short-range automotive radar, underpinning core ADAS features including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind-Spot Detection, and Lane-Keeping Assistance. These same radar sensors also serve as foundational hardware for higher levels of vehicle autonomy.
By de-licensing this band, India enables automotive manufacturers and suppliers to deploy globally developed radar hardware in Indian-market vehicles without requiring market-specific modifications — reducing development costs and accelerating the rollout of safety features across vehicle segments.
The timing is significant. India recorded approximately 1.75–1.77 lakh road deaths in around 4.7 lakh road accidents in 2024. ADAS technologies have been shown globally to significantly reduce rear-end collisions and driver reaction times. This regulatory change positions India to leverage these technologies at scale across both mass-market and premium vehicles.
From a trade and export perspective, alignment with US and European spectrum frameworks means Indian-manufactured vehicles equipped with 77–81 GHz radar systems will be less likely to require hardware modifications for international markets — a meaningful advantage for India’s automotive export industry.
To read the official notification, access below.
How C-PRAV Can Support You
C-PRAV’s India team specialises in wireless and telecommunications equipment approvals, including WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) type approval processes. With the 77–81 GHz band now de-licensed, manufacturers and suppliers of automotive radar systems will still need to complete the DoT portal equipment type approval process and ensure conformity with applicable BIS or international technical standards.
C-PRAV can assist with end-to-end type approval applications, technical documentation preparation, WPC compliance advisory, and certification management for automotive radar and connected vehicle technologies entering the Indian market.
Have questions? We’re here to help.